I don’t wear tattoos because I fear needles -Essence

Nigerian musician, Okoro Uwale (aka Essence), has been around since 2004.In this interview, she spoke to JOAN OMIONAWELE about her career, scandals and private life.
You’ve been around for a long time. How was it like starting as a female in the Nigerian music industry?
I would say it was very difficult. It was like trying to cultivate on virgin soil. You didn’t know what sound to go with because there was basically no sound.  R&B was a hit-or-miss case, unlike now that it’s widely accepted. I should say we suffered for what is now being enjoyed. But we thank God.

How did you get into the Nigerian music industry?
I started music professionally in 2004; but before that, I had been doing background vocals for various artistes and soundtracks for soap operas, including Super Story, Dominoes, Secrets and Scandals.

What has Essence been up to lately?
Essence has been diversifying into other aspects of entertainment. I am also venturing into hospitality, because I have my own ushering outfit called Hello Events.

We fight and reconcile but can’t separate -Midnight Crew

Exactly 12 years ago today, four young singers, Ayo Ojo Onasanya, Patricia Uwaje-King, Mike Abdul and Olugbenga Ademola Oyebola came together to form a group called Midnight Crew. Today, as they celebrate over a decade together, they share their thoughts and journey so far with YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE and KEHINDE AKINSEINDE. Excerpts.

JOURNEY so far?
It has been good, there were the usual ups and downs but God has been our help. We made up our mind to go all the way. As long as God helps us, as far as we can, and the point is we see very far

The beginning
We met at Yaba College of Technology where we were in the same choir in 1999 and were just keeping it real. Everyone of us had that musical background before we went there. Along the line, the four of us started getting close and flowing well together musically. As we were moving on, we had one concert, it was very great and from there, we decided to continue this after leaving school. We put a lot into it while we were in school because we didn’t want it to end in school. We had to make up our minds to run with the vision and right now, we are the one chasing the vision. Initially, we were eleven –some got married and went to London with their husbands, some caught another vision, while some are into personal ministries and are doing well. One of them could not cope with engineering and music, so she opted out. It was not a break-up but a breakthrough.

Eaglets gun for world history •Aim at record 4th FIFA title

Nigeria will become the most successful team at the U17 level in the world when they win a fourth World Cup today in Abu Dhabi.

Both Nigeria and Brazil have won the competition three times each, but victory against Mexico again will install the Golden Eaglets as the best team in the world at this level.

Nigeria’s previous triumphs have been in 1985, 1993 and 2007. And they have all been achieved in Asia.

Going into today’s final against Mexico, the Golden Eaglets have played a total of 48 matches; won 43, drawn four  and only lost once;scoring a total of 218 goals  and conceded just 53.

Nigeria’s head coach Manu Garba admitted that today’s final match  would  not  be a one-way traffic since the Mexicans would be eyeing a revenge after  their last 6-1 defeat.

“Mexico would be looking for revenge but we are going to win this match because we want to set the record as the best team in the world at this level,” Manu explained.

Scottish referee Craig Thomson along his compatriots Derek Rose and Alan Mulvanny has been picked by FIFA as officials for the Cup final at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Omotola to be honoured by kinsmen

Nollywood’s leading Actress,  Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has never had honours, lurking too far away from her as every single stride the sexy actress makes seems to have a golden lining of honour about it. She has won virtually every award there is to be won in the movie industry within and outside the shores of the country and the  only vacuum in her list  of  honours, which is one from  her  State of origin, is now on the cards.

Tom Cruise denies abandoning daughter

Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise has denied having “abandoned” his daughter Suri following his divorce from Katie Holmes last year, while acknowledging that he has seen less of the seven-year-old.
In a statement filed in court this week, the US actor said he had a “wonderful relationship” with his daughter, who he said “has never indicated … that she has ever felt abandoned by me.”

Tom with wife Katie Holmes and their daughter Suri

Cruise launched legal action last year against Bauer, the publishers of US magazines Life and Style and InTouch for $50 million over covers claiming he had abandoned his daughter.
A July 2012 edition of Life and Style splashed the headline “Suri in tears, abandoned by her dad,” over a picture of the sobbing girl. Holmes and Cruise had announced their split the month before after six years of marriage, and Suri was living with her mother.

Eaglets coach begs Keshi to admit his boys in Super Eagles

Golden Eaglets coach Manu Garba has asked national coach Stephen Keshi to give some of his players a chance to train with the full Super Eagles squad, but admits that next year’s World Cup might be a bridge too far for them.
“I want to appeal to Keshi to give some of the Eaglets a chance to train with the senior national team as that will be of immense benefit to them in the future,” Manu said.
The Golden Eaglets have swept all in their path to reach the Final against Mexico on Friday, playing a brand of football that has captivated fans and destroyed opponents.
The likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidera Ezeh and Taiwo Awoniyi have stood out, and Manu believes they can get their senior opportunity.

Why actresses prefer married men – Bose Arowosegbe

Bose Arowosegbe, a native of Arigidi Akoko, Ondo State, has come to pitch her tent with the very best in Nollywood. Having started acting in 2003 she shot into limelight in 2008 with her sterling lead role in ‘Kareni Barin’ and affirmed her arrival on the scene as a ‘made star’ in ‘Anikisaya’, a flick that earned her the alias with which she is known in the industry today, and thereafter went ahead to record string of successes with her own productions.
In this chat with Weekend Groove, the Business Studies graduate of LASPOTECH talks of her sojourn in the movie industry; her beliefs and a lot of other issues. Excerpts:.
How did you find your way into the movie industry?
I didn’t start out as an actress, I started out as a video vixen in 2002 before I was introduced into acting at the insistence of an editor named Jide Bambo. He was involved in movie production and music video production. It was as a result of his influence I veered into acting.

What was your first film and how was it like?
It wasn’t much of anything because it was a two-scene cameo. The film was “Akamo’’ and I played the role of an angel. But after that I think I caught attention of some people and it started the flow of other jobs coming my way.